Pakistan parties reach power-sharing agreement, Khan loyalists left out

Islamabad, Pakistan – AFP

Pakistan’s two dynastic parties have reached a power-sharing agreement that will return Shehbaz Sharif to the premiership, leaving out politicians loyal to jailed former leader Imran Khan despite them winning the most seats in this month’s vote.

The army-backed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said they had settled days of negotiations on securing a majority to form a coalition government that will also include several smaller parties, after the February 8 polls returned no clear winner.

Candidates loyal to Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the most seats but were forced to stand as independents following a sweeping crackdown on the party in the lead-up to the election, which was marred by allegations of vote rigging.

The proposed new government looks much the same as the shaky coalition that combined to oust Khan in a no-confidence vote in 2022, when Sharif became prime minister for the first time.

On the streets of the capital Islamabad, some were sceptical of what the new government had to offer.

“Establishing a (coalition) government hasn’t proved beneficial in the past,” said retired 67-year-old Saeed Asmat.

“Each time they formed a government, inflation skyrocketed, making it difficult for the poor to survive,” he added. “What actions will they take now?”

The deal was announced at a late-night press conference in Islamabad, announcing Asif Ali Zardari, the husband of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, as president.

“The Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz have attained the numbers and we will form a government,” said PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of Zardari and Bhutto.

“We are hopeful that Shehbaz Sharif will soon become the prime minister of the country and the whole of Pakistan should pray that the government should be successful.”

Bhutto Zardari, who was foreign minister under Sharif in the last government which dissolved in August ahead of elections, said ministerial portfolios had been agreed and would be announced in the coming days.

– ‘Stealing an election’ –

PTI lashed out against the agreement, reiterating its accusations of foul play.

“The PML-N and the Peoples Party deserve some praise for their epic 30-year journey, from stealing taxpayers’ money together to stealing an election together,” the party said on social media platform X.

It also referred to Sharif and Bhutto’s parties as “mandate thieves”.

PML-N and PPP formed an opposition coalition in 2022 before seizing power from Khan, overseeing a period of massive inflation and dwindling cash reserves that almost caused the nuclear-armed state to default.

At the eleventh hour, they secured a deal with the International Monetary Fund, due to expire in March, with the country yet to make an economic recovery after continued political instability.